Man sentenced to prison in robbery plea agreement

URBANA — A Ford Heights man who admitted stealing a cell phone and cash from a Champaign man last year has been sentenced to six years in prison.

Prentiss Turner, 29, pleaded guilty earlier this week before Judge Tom Difanis to robbery, admitting that on Dec. 27, he stole the items from a man walking in the 500 block of West University Avenue in Champaign about 10 p.m.

In return for the plea, more serious charges of armed robbery alleging that Turner held up that man and another who was with him were dismissed. He was also ordered to make restitution to the two men totaling $210.

In other Champaign County criminal cases resolved recently:

— Thomas L. Ross, 36, whose last known address was in the 0-100 block of California Court, Urbana, was sentenced to five years in prison for unlawful possession of weapons by a felon. He admitted that on Jan. 9 he had a gun at that home in Urbana.

Other charges of aggravated assault, battery and being an armed habitual criminal were dismissed in return for his plea.

Ross was arrested for allegedly threatening to shoot his girlfriend and hitting her in the head.

— David B. Robbins, 26, of Paxton, was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty to theft with a prior theft conviction. He admitted that he stole a PlayStation from a home in the 400 block of Marco Drive in Rantoul on Oct. 27, 2011.

In return for his plea, other charges of residential burglary and theft were dismissed.

— Assistant State's Attorney Duke Harris dismissed an armed robbery charge against Christopher Mitchell, 24, of the 1000 block of Clay Street, Danville. Mitchell was accused of robbing a man in the 1300 block of Ivanhoe Way on Dec. 22 while armed with a gun. Harris said the victim refused to cooperate with his office in preparing for trial so he dismissed the case.